The judges are being asked to rule on whether Hall's sentence should be increased.

Hall, 83, from Wilmslow, Cheshire, who admitted 14 counts of indecent assault against girls as young as nine between 1967 and 1987, listened to the proceedings via video-link from HMP Preston. He appeared on screen wearing a deep red T-shirt.

The former It's A Knockout presenter was given the 15-month sentence at Preston Crown Court in June by the Recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell QC.

Mr Grieve told the packed courtroom: "It is submitted that the total sentence of 15 months' imprisonment for 14 incidents of indecent assault committed against 13 female victims aged between the ages of nine and 17 over an 18-year period when couple with the aggravating features... failed adequately to reflect the gravity of the totality of the offences, and the public concern about offences of this nature.

"Even if the individual sentences for each count are appropriate sentences given the statutory maximum available, some of the sentences should have been made to run consecutively so that the total sentence passed reflected the culpability of the offender, the harm caused and to deter others".

He said that "it appears to me that the sentence was unduly lenient".

Hall's QC Crispin Aylett argued that there was "nothing wrong" with the sentence imposed.

He told the court: "If the object was to see this man punished, disgraced and financially ruined then all of that has been more than achieved."

The judges have now retired to consider their decision and will not give an announcement before 11.30.